No aid to help fix flood damage in Cortland County
Published: 12/02 4:44 pm
Updated: 12:03 am
Cortland (WSYR-TV) - Despite qualifying for assistance, Cortland County found out Thursday it won't be getting any federal or state funding to help pay for the cost of repairs to roads damaged in a late September flood. Not getting the financial help could have long-term impacts on the County.
The September 30, rainstorm brought the water down hard and fast, swelling some rivers and creeks beyond their capacity. Some roads were simply eaten away as the water made new paths for itself.
Although the damage was sufficient to qualify the County for federal aid, Highway Superintendent Don Chambers says it won't be coming because there weren't enough total counties impacted to draw the funding. He also says that while the damage was triple the amount required to qualify for state aid, the Governor has inexplicably refused to declare it a disaster area.
Instead, Chambers says, the cost of repairing the flood-damaged roads falls on the County and local municipalities. Paying for those repairs may mean delaying other road work, including the County's annual culvert replacement program. "That may have to be deferred and may require me to be more on an emergency-type mode, if this continues, which is not a cost effective way to manage your road system," he said.
Another heavy rain Wednesday further compromised some fragile roadways. Chambers says that a lack of aid could have long term impacts as his department works to repair the damage.
The Cortland County legislature has unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Governor to declare the county a disaster area. Chambers says they're still holding out hope of getting some aid from Albany.
"Our budgets at this point are very tight and its something that we don not need and can afford, our budgets are strained as they are and this just adds additional strain to our budget," said Chambers.
The September 30, rainstorm brought the water down hard and fast, swelling some rivers and creeks beyond their capacity. Some roads were simply eaten away as the water made new paths for itself.
Although the damage was sufficient to qualify the County for federal aid, Highway Superintendent Don Chambers says it won't be coming because there weren't enough total counties impacted to draw the funding. He also says that while the damage was triple the amount required to qualify for state aid, the Governor has inexplicably refused to declare it a disaster area.
Instead, Chambers says, the cost of repairing the flood-damaged roads falls on the County and local municipalities. Paying for those repairs may mean delaying other road work, including the County's annual culvert replacement program. "That may have to be deferred and may require me to be more on an emergency-type mode, if this continues, which is not a cost effective way to manage your road system," he said.
Another heavy rain Wednesday further compromised some fragile roadways. Chambers says that a lack of aid could have long term impacts as his department works to repair the damage.
The Cortland County legislature has unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Governor to declare the county a disaster area. Chambers says they're still holding out hope of getting some aid from Albany.
"Our budgets at this point are very tight and its something that we don not need and can afford, our budgets are strained as they are and this just adds additional strain to our budget," said Chambers.
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luceononuro - 12/2/2010 10:12 PM
Honestly, Mr. Chambers statement says it all: [the money] won't be coming because there weren't enough total counties impacted to draw the funding. He also says that while the damage was triple the amount required to qualify for state aid, the Governor has inexplicably refused to declare it a disaster area. HOW STUPID ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS? I swear, the minute they get elected, it's like 'check your intelligence in at the door'. Sure place the burden to repair the roads onto the local property taxpayer... use my other taxes to pay for things, like raises for those on welfare and HDTV's for prison inmates. Is it just me or should we still be talkin' about a revolution!
Observer7 - 12/2/2010 10:08 PM
mustangkid is right. Government is supposed to have responsibility to fix road, not the authority to take money from a citizen taxpayer and give it to a citizen leech.
themustangkid - 12/2/2010 10:01 PM
Perhaps if the county would stop being so quick to pay for "NEWLY IMPORTED FROM NEW YORK CITY WELFARE" the county could have the money. Cortland is the quickest to pay for new welfare...correction, SOCIAL SERVICES... If they had to be residents for say, nine months and have had a paying job in the county...even if lost, then they could pay. Not pay them in 6 weeks!
rocketman - 12/2/2010 9:51 PM
Patterson-return the congical visit trailor for 770K and you have the money
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